A new workshop on the site of Perth's first high school is proving popular with community groups after its first session had to cap attendees.
Held at the Constitutional Centre of Western Australia, the multicultural Civics and Citizenship workshop aims to encourage new citizens and migrants to learn about the parliamentary system.
The free program hopes to increase the involvement of people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in politics, whether it's casting their vote or running for office.
"I think being involved in Australian society to the fullest of anyone's potential is what's going to make people feel a deeper sense of belonging,” said Morgan Lewis, CEO of organisers, the Australia Day Council WA.
“Our vision is for everyone in Australia, no matter where your personal story started, to feel a sense of belonging, which we think will help people have that desire to contribute more back to their community.”
Morgan Lewis, CEO of organisers, the Australia Day Council WA Source: SBS
The program explores how the different levels of government work, starting with the national and state constitutions, before discussing the responsibilities of each tier of government from local to federal.
The interactive classes learn about voting and how the preferential system works before participating in a “dummy run” to understand the counting.
Those that attended the trial session, such as Nirmal Singh, said the information provided was invaluable.
“People who are coming here for permanency or becoming a citizen, you're making this your new home. So when you come to a new home, you need to know where the doors are and where the rooms are. It is the same thing,” said Mr Singh.
“You come here, you work for your things and you show that you are a part of your new home.”
Organisers are confident the workshops will encourage people to become more active in their community and maybe emulate new City of Canning Councillor and WA Labor member, Sara Saberi.
Ms Saberi was born in Iran and lived in the United States before moving to Australia, volunteering extensively across a wide spectrum of areas before considering local government.
“I felt that there was a lot that could be done from the grassroots level. And that got me thinking about what would be the next step I could take to go forward. So I started looking at local government and running for Council,” said Ms Saberi.
But while she was elected to local government, some of her friends and family didn’t realise the role and importance of the position.
“They hadn't been involved in local government elections. They always looked up to state and federal, but local government was a bit new,” she said.
“They were quite interested in seeing what's happening and how things work.”
Multicultural leaders in the West agree that political involvement in their communities is critical, including Australian Arab Association's Salim Youssef.
Salim Yousseff is a member of the Multicultural Advisory Committee to the WA Government and the Community Director of the Australian Arab Association. Source: SBS
Mr Youssef is a member of WA's Multicultural Advisory Committee and was selected as a People of Australia Ambassador in 2014.
He believes that more diverse voices in politics will help policy-makers create legislation that includes all Australians.
"It's very important, they should be involved because we are part of Australian society. We're Australian and we know the policy and reforms. We should be part of it," said Mr Youssef
"New policies and reforms will affect multiculturalism in Western Australia and all of Australia. So it's really important for multiculturalism to be involved in politics, on a local level, state or federal.”
The next workshop is planned for 6 February at 6pm, but Australia Day WA warns bookings will be essential. More information on how to register can be found here.
